Shared Conductive Structure for Touch Sensor and NFC Antenna
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Solution Overview
Problem
Incorporating input-output components such as sensors and wireless communications circuits in electronic devices poses challenges due to space constraints and potential added cost or complexity, particularly in ensuring that wireless components are not blocked by conductive structures within the device.
Innovation Solution
The integration of sensor circuitry and near field communications circuitry using a shared conductive structure, allowing the same conductive structure to be used for both sensor functions like fingerprint or touch sensors and near field communications, with control circuitry operating in multiple modes to facilitate data gathering and wireless signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate conductive structures are used for sensor functions and near field communications, then each function can be optimized independently, but the device complexity and space consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a conductive structure that serves dual purposes: it functions as both a sensor electrode (for touch or fingerprint sensing) and a near field communication antenna. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate conductive structures, thereby reducing device complexity and component count while maintaining optimized performance for both sensor operations and wireless communication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the sensor electrode and NFC antenna into a single integrated conductive structure. By combining these two previously separate components into one unified element, the patent reduces the overall component count and simplifies the device architecture, while still enabling both sensor functions and near field communications to operate effectively
2Adaptability or versatility
If more input-output components are added to satisfy consumer demand, then device functionality improves, but space consumption and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables a single conductive structure to perform multiple functions including touch sensing, fingerprint recognition, and near field communication. This multi-functionality allows the device to offer enhanced versatility and consumer appeal without adding corresponding physical space, as one structural element replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components
Solution Approach 2:
By merging sensor electrodes and communication antennas into shared conductive structures, the patent reduces the total area required for input-output components. This consolidation approach maintains rich device functionality while optimizing space utilization, directly addressing the challenge of fitting more features into limited device real estate
3Ease of manufacture
If wireless communication components are placed within device housing, then integration improves, but conductive structures may block wireless signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the blocking issue by making the conductive structure itself serve as the wireless communication antenna. Since the same conductive structure that forms the sensor electrode also functions as the NFC antenna, there is no separate wireless component to be blocked by housing structures. This multi-functional approach enables full integration within the device housing while maintaining reliable signal transmission
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach minimizes component count, optimizes placement of near field communications structures within the device, and reduces complexity, enabling efficient use of space while maintaining effective sensor and communication functions.
Implementation Method 1
transmit and receive capacitively coupled or inductively coupled near field communications signals
Implementation Method 2
transmit and receive capacitively coupled or inductively coupled near field communications signals
Implementation Method 3
The control circuitry in the electronic device may use the optical structures of the fingerprint sensor in communicating with external equipment
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may have electrical components such as sensors. A sensor may have sensor circuitry that gathers sensor data using a conductive structure. The sensor may be a touch sensor that uses the conductive structure to form a capacitive touch sensor electrode or may be a fingerprint sensor that uses the conductive structure with a fingerprint electrode array to handle fingerprint sensor signals. Near field communications circuitry may be included in an electronic device. When operated in a sensor mode, the sensor circuitry may use the conductive structure to gather a fingerprint or other sensor data. When operated in near field communications mode, the near field communications circuitry can use the conductive structure to transmit and receive capacitively coupled or inductively coupled near field communications signals. A fingerprint sensor may have optical structures that communicate with external equipment.